LITTLE Oakley Reserves booked their place in the Border League Knockout Cup final after a 1-0 victory over Coggeshall Town Reserves.

Luke Good had an early opportunity, meeting Gary Stanford’s cross on the volley, but it went agonisingly wide.

Defenders Nathan Kioussis and Richard Green dealt with most things in the air, but keeper Ash Long was twice tested by the Coggeshall forward.

He palmed the ball away but only into the path of the onrushing striker, whose first-time shot was brilliantly blocked by Long and then Green.

Lord and Harte were struggling to win the midfield battle, although a free-kick from Harte rebounded back off the Coggeshall post.

Both teams were pleased to go in at half-time having not conceded, although the football on show was not pleasing on the eye.

Coggeshall attacked from the kick-off, in the second half.

At the other end, Jay Eggerichs was fouled but the resultant free-kick drifted off the field without touching a player – summing up the inability of either side to capitalise on set-pieces.

Dan Roots was introduced, along with Jamie Smith, in the hope that fresh legs would add some impetus.

However, the game seemed to be drifting towards extra-time when a clearance from Lord came back off the bar and the alert Eggerichs pounced to head home.

Oakley saw out the remainder of the game without cause for concern.

Coggeshall’s left-winger and manager were sent off in the latter stages.

Oakley now face West Bergholt Reserves in the final, to be played at Garrison Colchester on April 19 (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Acorns have another semi-final tomorrow, when they face Alresford Colne Rangers in an attempt to retain the Tommy Thompson Cup.